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Justenuffhumor puts winning streak
on the line in Shadwell Turf Mile

Posted: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 4:22 PM

JUSTENUFFHUMOR

Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo

by Mike Curry

Leading U.S.-based TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) contender Justenuffhumor will put his six-race winning streak on the line on Saturday in the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course.

After finishing ninth in his career debut in October 2008 on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Keeneland, the four-year-old Distorted Humor colt has been untouchable on turf for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and owner Godolphin Racing.

Purchased for $500,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September yearling sale, Justenuffhumor is half brother to champion Dreaming of Anna and multiple Group 2 winner Lewis Michael.

"With his breeding, he can run on anything and I'd hate to rule out Polytrack because of the one race, but his head just wasn't into it," said Neal McLaughlin, brother of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. "Since he won on grass, we decided to leave him there.

"He knows how to get there and his turn of foot is exciting."

The bay colt won a maiden special weight race at one mile in January in his second start and flashed tremendous finishing speed when rallying from last-to-first to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance race, both at Gulfstream Park.

"His next race down there was probably his most impressive,” McLaughlin said of the first-level allowance win. “He was last at the top of the stretch in a field of 12 and passed 11 horses in a quarter of a mile and won by two lengths.”

After two subsequent wins in optional claiming races, Justenuffhumor powered to a 2½-length score in the Fourstardave Handicap (G2) on August 2 on turf rated as good at Saratoga Race Course (video).

He enters off a half-length score in the Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2) on August 28 at Saratoga (video) and will make his first start in a Grade 1 race in the Shadwell Turf Mile. With rain possible on Thursday and Friday in Lexington, Justenuffhumor also has three wins on turf rated as less than firm.

Another Shadwell Turf Mile contender who appreciates some cut in the ground and has enjoyed success at the highest level is Mr. Sidney, winner of the Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes (G1) on yielding turf in April at Keeneland (video). The five-year-old by Storm Cat also won the Firecracker Handicap (G2) on yielding ground at Churchill Downs in July for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott (video).

The Shadwell Turf Mile is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series, guaranteeing the winner a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on November 7 at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park meeting.

Battle of Hastings (GB) will face older opponents for the first time in the Shadwell Turf Mile. The three-year-old Royal Applause (GB) gelding has four wins and two seconds in six starts this season, including victories in the Virginia Derby (G2) (video) and Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (G2) (video).

Grade 1 winner Court Vision will try to halt a five-race winless stretch for Mott.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor

Shadwell Turf Mile S.

For Equibase entries of Saturday's Keeneland card, click here.